Noisy Pixel

Huntdown takes you back to the days of classic arcade 2D action games but utilizes modern tools to perfect the genre. From the beginning to the end, this game is an absolute thrill. The attention to detail in the environments and the ever-changing rollout of enemies play a huge part in keeping each moment of gameplay fresh with a high level of intensity.

It’s clear that a lot of love went into making Streets of Rage 4. The developers have taken this classic series and added just enough to make it there own while also building off of what makes this series so great. The length of the adventure may be an issue for some, but there are more than enough reasons to return to the streets for another round.

Sakura Wars is an excellent reboot of the series and does right by the fans by subtly tieing in mentions of its predecessors without overburdening new players. The game is fueled by its strong narrative and passionate cast of characters who fight against-all-odds for what they believe in. Sure, some of the arcs don’t totally stick, and the romance can get a little messy, but it accomplishes the goal of giving fans a modernized Sakura Wars experience, without sacrificing what makes it unique.

Moving Out is a great game to pull out on family night or when hanging out with friends, though don’t blame me if this ends in an argument about how to get a couch through a door properly. Still, its cartoonish charm will easily entertain a group for a few hours. Even though the single-player offerings aren’t as enjoyable as the multiplayer mode, there’s plenty to enjoy through the optional objectives and zany environments.

Trials of Mana is unapologetically traditional and, yet, still makes itself accessible to all JRPG fans, both new and old. The dedication that the developers show as they retain the fantasy appeal of this classic title with updated systems is what ultimately shines during every moment of this adventure.

Final Fantasy VII Remake pulls no punches. The story feels complete as the entire story builds up to a fantastical ending sequence that has me running out of compliments. This game is something of a marvel to experience, which has me eagerly awaiting the next installment. It’s easy to see how much respect the developers have for this story and these characters during every minute of this adventure, which made it difficult to put down, even for a minute.

Resident Evil 3 is a heart-pounding nightmare that blends survival horror and action elements perfectly with the help of its two protagonists. There’s so much to explore and discover during every moment of this thriller that it’s easy to forget about the horrors that await just around the corner. However, the limited puzzles and short length make it tough to justify the full price. But, like a zombie hungry for brains, I can’t seem to get enough of this game.

Persona 5 Royal is everything I could want out of a re-release. The game’s style and charm shine brightest in this version as it made an already great game even better. The balances and new additions were based on long-time fan criticisms, and it’s evident that the developers used it as a foundation to update this adventure while still throwing in some quality-of-life changes that I didn’t know the game needed, but ended up loving anyway.

Corruption 2029 is a tactical RPG that requires players to take their time during encounters. Meticulous planning and strategy are vital to overcoming enemies, but it’s this speed of gameplay that might deter fans of more in-your-face approaches to combat.

Hero Must Die. Again is a unique non-linear JRPG that takes chances on players being capable of learning and navigating through its systems, without much handholding. Each playthrough enables the player to become more capable of handling whatever the game throws at them, even if that comes at the cost of dying multiple times.